PREFACE 
HIS little book is intended as a general commentary 
and explanation of the more important phases of 
the ancient life and arts of the Indians of Mexico and 
Central America, and especially of their history. The 
substance of it is drawn from many sources, for the 
anthropologist must mould together and harmonize 
the gross results of several sciences. Archeology, 
ethnology, somatology, and linguistics all make their . 
special contributions and we are only on the threshold 
of our subject. In the Mexican and Central American 
field we find the accumulated writings that result from 
four hundred years of European contact with the 
Indians and in addition a mass of native documents and 
monumental inscriptions expressed in several hiero- 
glyphic systems. 
The general method of this book will be to take up in 
order the recognized “horizons” of pre-Columbian 
history, beginning with the earliest of which we have 
knowledge. In relation to each horizon we will examine 
the records and discuss the principal developments in 
arts, beliefs, and social structures. The introductory 
chapter is designed to put before the reader such facts 
as may be necessary for a ready understanding of the 
discussions and explanations that will follow. 
The Mexican Hall of the American Museum of 
Natural History furnishes illustrations of most of the 
facts given herewith. This Hall contains both originals 
and casts brought together by various expeditions of 
the Museum and of other scientific institutions. The 
principal patrons of science whose names should be 
mentioned in connection with the upbuilding of these 
